Indiana’s effort to become bicycle friendly is moving in the slow lane when compared with other states, according to a national advocacy group.

The League of American Bicyclists ranked Indiana 29th — a drop of five notches — for “bicycle friendliness,” using factors such as bike space on state-managed roadways and a lack of cell phone restrictions for car drivers.

The fall in the rankings surprised some who acknowledge that the state should make improvements but who also point out that progress has been made.

The Washington, D.C.-based league released its 2009 rankings last week. Indiana was No. 24 in 2008. Washington and Wisconsin placed first and second both years. Alabama was at the bottom this year, bumping West Virginia, which moved up eight spots. In states neighboring Indiana, only Ohio fared worse, ranking 39th; Illinois was best at 12th, but still four places lower than the previous year.

Jeff Peel, program specialist for the league, said it’s not that Indiana has done anything to hurt its position.

“It’s more that other states are outpacing Indiana,” he said.

The rankings are based on 75 questions covering legislation, policies and programs; infrastructure; education and encouragement; evaluation and planning; and enforcement.

Among the deficiencies that hurt Indiana:

No requirement for a 3-foot passing allowance when motorists encounter cyclists on roads.

No prohibition on cell phone use or requirement for hands-free devices for motorists.

No “complete streets” plan requiring new state- controlled roads or refurbished roads to have some accommodation for all users, including cyclists, with wider shoulders or lanes, or lane striping.

Lack of a statewide map of the existing bike route system.

No question on the Indiana driver’s test about motorists’ responsibilities with regard to cyclists.

No state advisory council to advise policymakers on bicycle issues.

No annual statewide conference on bike issues.

The last point is being addressed. Nancy Tibbett, executive director of the Indiana Bicycle Coalition, said planning has begun for a conference this fall. She said she was surprised at Indiana’s drop in the rankings.

“We have a lot of momentum with many of our mayors,” she said. “I feel like we’ve done so much more on the encouragement and education component.”

The survey does not reflect such things as the new bike lane striping on some Downtown Indianapolis streets or requirements at the municipal level.

Mike O’Loughlin, the point person for bicycle issues at the Indiana Department of Transportation, was not available Monday. But Bruce Childs, INDOT deputy commissioner for communications, noted that several of the criteria cited by the league depend on legislative action, such as the cell phone ban.

Indiana is spending $20 million in federal stimulus funds to add hiking and biking trails statewide, he added.

Nancy Revard, who with her husband founded The Bike Line stores, said the lack of any bike safety questions on the state driver’s test and a lack of attention to bikes on roadways make cycling dangerous in Indiana.

“The streets are scary for most cyclists,” she said.

Other states require more attentiveness, and many European countries accommodate bicycles even more, Revard said.

Still, Tibbett said things are getting better for Hoosier cyclists.

“It’s a little disappointing to drop” in the ranking, she said. “But I’m confident that over the next couple of years, we’ll see improvement.”